Edgar Guest's "The Cheat"

As I read this poem, there is more than meets the eye. Don't let the title fool you. There is more to this poem than meets the eye. I'm tempted to fill in the details but I think I would be cheating you (no pun intended but I think you may see where this is going). Imagine cheating a friend in a way you least expect and you'll get the moral of the story. This is one message to remember.

Taken from http://sofinesjoyfulmoments.com/quotes/theCheat.htm

"The Cheat"


by Edgar Guest

I cheated a good friend yesterday,
Kept what was his, and went my way,
Wronged him by silence-for in haste
I let a glad thought go to waste.

I had a word of cheer to speak,
To strengthen him when he grew weak,
To send him smiling on his way -
But what I thought I didn't say.

He would have richer been to know

That deed of his had pleased me so,

But oh, I failed to let him see

How much his conquest meant to me.


I cheated him of words of praise
Which would have cheered his troubled days;
In this a faithful friend I wronged,
By keeping what to him belonged.

The praise was his by right to hear,
To him belonged my word of cheer;
In silence, though, from him I turned
And cheated him of what he'd earned.